Grow olive in a pot that drains, in the brightest sun you have, and bring it in before a hard freeze.
Grow it in a pot that drains, in the brightest sun you have
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Full sun outdoors in summer; a south window in winter | Do not keep it in a dim room as a year-round houseplant |
| Pot | A pot with drainage holes, on feet so water can leave | Do not use a cachepot that holds a soggy saucer |
| Mix | Gritty mix, such as a loam-based compost with horticultural grit | Do not use a moisture-control mix that stays wet |
olive will live in a pot if the mix drains and the tree sees real sun. Six hours of direct light is the usual minimum. A south window is the indoor stand-in for that sun. Leaves that press the glass can scorch, so leave a little air. [1] It will not thrive in a dark living room forever. Summer it outside after frost, then bring it back before a hard freeze. [2]
Can I grow an olive tree indoors?
Yes, in the brightest window, usually as a pot you move outside for summer. A dim room drops leaves.
How to pot an olive tree
Start only a little larger than the nursery can, then step up as the roots fill.
- Choose a pot with open drainage holes. A 12- to 14-inch pot holds a young tree. Work up toward 18 to 24 inches over a few years.
- Fill with a gritty mix. Two parts loam-based compost to one part grit is a solid start. Cactus mix with extra perlite also drains.
- Set the tree at the same depth it had in the nursery can. Water until the extra runs out, then empty the saucer.
- Water again only when the top few inches have dried. In a hot summer that may be often. In a cool room, wait longer. [3]
How often do I water a potted olive?
When the top of the mix is dry, water until it runs out. Do not leave the pot sitting in water.
Bring it in before a hard freeze
Roots in a pot get cold sooner than roots in the ground, because the pot sits in air. Move it before a hard freeze, into a bright, frost-free place. A cool sunroom around 41 to 50°F is kinder than a hot, dry living room. [4] Water less in winter, but do not let the mix turn to dust. If the only indoor spot is a heated room, use the brightest window and a grow light if the days are short. Take it back out after frost, with a few days in part sun so the leaves do not burn.
Use a draining pot in the brightest sun, water when the mix is dry, and move it inside before a hard freeze.
FAQ
Will a potted olive bear fruit indoors?
Usually not. Flowering wants a cool spell and a drop between day and night. Grow it for the silvery leaves unless you can summer it outside.
When do I repot it?
When roots show at the holes or the mix dries in a day. Step up one pot size, every two or three years.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Royal Horticultural Society -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/fruit/olives/grow-your-own - [2] Perfect Plants Nursery -
https://myperfectplants.com/blogs/blog/growing-indoor-olive-trees - [3] Danielle Moss -
https://www.danielle-moss.com/how-to-care-for-an-indoor-olive-tree/ - [4] Food Garden Life -
https://www.foodgardenlife.com/learn/potted-olive-tree
This note is part of Olea Guides.
More container notes by plant live in Container Growing Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors